Tiny fuzzy spider

May 17, 2013 by Mike Powell

As I was looking in my neighbors’ garden for flowers to photograph, I came across this cool-looking little spider, which I have not yet been able to identify.

The spider was really small, maybe a half-inch (a little over 1 cm) in size and didn’t sit still too much, so it was quite a challenge to photograph him. I really like his eyes and his hairy legs, which look almost like they are transparent.

One of the things that I especially like about spring is that insects reappear and give me photo opportunities like this one.

Posted in Arachnids, Bugs, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography, Portraits | Tagged Alexandria VA, Canon 100mm macro lens, Canon Rebel XT, eyes, fuzzy legs, spider | 22 Comments

22 Responses

on May 17, 2013 at 8:27 pm | Reply krikitarts

It’s certainly a jumping spider, a member of the Salticidae. I’ll check with my daughter to see if she can help with an ID. For your other readers, by the way (as I’m sure you well know), spiders are not insects.
- on May 17, 2013 at 9:33 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Gary. I think this is only the second jumping spider that I’ve ever seen–somehow I thought they were bigger.
on May 17, 2013 at 11:06 pm | Reply Jeremy Sell

Definitely a Salticid…I believe this is Hentzia mitrata.
- on May 18, 2013 at 5:22 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. At least now I can be a bit more authoritative than the not-very-precise title of my posting.
on May 17, 2013 at 11:10 pm | Reply Jeremy Sell

For what it’s worth most jumping spiders I see are about 1 cm or less. I really enjoy watching them. Their quick, jerky movements and excellent vision make them great ambush predators, and sometimes you can be lucky enough to see one pounce on prey.
- on May 18, 2013 at 5:21 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Wow, so they really are small. I guess that means I’ll have to pay a lot of attention. Of course, “quick, jerky movements” may not translate well into good photos, but it could be fascinating to watch nonetheless.
on May 17, 2013 at 11:21 pm | Reply Charlie@Seattle Trekker

The photos, the background information, and the comments are all quite impressive. This is my first jumping spider.
- on May 18, 2013 at 5:19 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Charlie. I don’t know much about jumping spiders either (this is only the second one that I have ever seen).
on May 18, 2013 at 1:43 am | Reply archecotech

I love these little spiders, living all over the US, I’ve had the pleasure to watch and even had them crawl up into my hand, Some are a bit afraid at first but with a little coaching they will crawl right up into your hand. I’ve never had one bit our pinch me so I’m not sure they even bit.It’s funny but I think they are just as curious about us as we are about them. They definitely show intelligence.
- on May 18, 2013 at 5:19 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I have yet to try to get them to crawl on my hand–I may have to leave that feat to you. This little guy was remarkably tolerant of my close-range shots.
  - on May 18, 2013 at 6:51 am archecotech
    
    That’s what I mean, if you watch them real close you can see that they are observing you. It’s really fascinating. It makes me wonder what is going on in their tiny brains.
  - on May 18, 2013 at 6:52 am archecotech
    
    One other quick moment, I’ve seen these little guys which are not so little. The biggest one I’ve seen is about the size of a dime.
on May 18, 2013 at 7:32 am | Reply Ed

Wicked cool spider and a fantastic macro shot..:-)
- on May 18, 2013 at 7:44 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Ed. I really enjoy shooting macro and especially insects (and the occasional flower). I had no idea how cool the spider was when I started shooting it, but boy was I happy when I saw the images.
on May 18, 2013 at 7:44 am | Reply New Hampshire Gardener

Excellent macro!
on May 19, 2013 at 12:38 pm | Reply caleephotography

Now that’s a cool looking spider!! Fantastic shots, Mike! 😀
- on May 19, 2013 at 1:07 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. Definitely one of the coolest spiders that I’ve been able to find.
on May 20, 2013 at 10:24 pm | Reply krikitarts

One further comment, Mike–I’ve been following the salties for quite some time now, and on a number of occasions, as I’ve gotten closer and closer to them, to get more detail, I’ve found that it’s not unusual for them to jump right onto the camera. Do they see their reflections and choose to investigate more closely? Who knows? Anyway, get as close as you can, as often as you can–and show us the results! The reports of their biting people are infinitesimal.
on May 27, 2013 at 8:13 pm | Reply owenslaterphotography

Great spider shots! Makes me think what I’m missing by not having a macro lens…mmmh.
- on May 27, 2013 at 9:01 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Owen. You can never have too many lenses! I personally am still craving a long telephoto lens. My macro lens was my first “real” lens and now that spring is here, it is getting a lot of use for both insects and flowers. Compared to the super telephoto lenses, macro lenses are downright affordable.
on June 9, 2013 at 6:23 am | Reply Another fuzzy spider | Mike Powell

[…] Last month, I encountered a tiny, fuzzy spider that turned out to me a jumping spider, so I am a little more attuned to looking for them now. This one is definitely not the same kind, though, with completely different colors and markings. You can compare the two by checking out the photos in my previous posting.you […]
on July 7, 2013 at 8:55 pm | Reply One year later | Mike Powell

[…] Tiny fuzzy spider […]